This book is such an encouragement for any woman who looks to the generations before them for spiritual guidance. As a 30 year old who struggles with depression and anxiety, struggles with feeling like I’ve failed because I haven’t succeeded in the way my culture says I should have by my age- this book has given me hope to finish my life well, and age with His grace.

I didn’t expect this book to be only taking into account people who are religious - it was not clear from the title, and the subject (which us rather universal). Even then, accounting for its very niche audience, I do not think it is written well.

I found this book to be both encouraging and comforting. I loved the emphasis on “flourishing to the finish”. In addition to the excellent devotional Bible study on scripture passages, the testimonies from the older ladies who are living out their faith were inspiring. This book is a call to embrace whatever season of life we are in and to not dread growing older; but at the same time, put into practice those spiritual disciplines that will carry us forward with grace and strength. I’m glad to have this book on my shelf and will be reading it again for advice and encouragement.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

When I requested this book, the description didn't make it clear that it was a gospel-based book on how to please God in your later years. That, along with the run-on dialog style of the book, made it a book that I didn't really enjoy. It is written by two older women who take turns telling their stories and other women's stories along with a sort of Q&A between each other at times. Most of the stories are of tragedies and there's this sort of continual theme of "this bad thing happened and I'm in terrible pain all the time but I trust in God" that might be comforting for some but was not actually what I was hoping for in a book about "aging with grace." I realize now that the title is in the spiritual meaning for grace, as in God's grace. I would recommend it for bible-study group reads, but I didn't find it very comforting or helpful for myself in terms of the issues I would have liked to see addressed. As another reviewer commented, I actually felt more depressed reading it. I'm sure it will be comforting for some others though.

I read a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.

I preordered Aging with Grace: Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture by Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt when I saw it illustrates how “the gospel is big enough, good enough, and powerful enough to make every season of life significant and glorious,” whether we are single or married, sick or well, at home or abroad.

In the foreword, Susan gives a short history of the phrase “the afternoon of life,” which is defined as fifty-six to eighty-three years of age. She says that the world cannot prepare us for this stage of life, “because it has no hope or power to give us. Culture’s false narrative about aging is the church’s opportunity to proclaim the hope and power of the gospel to equip God’s people to flourish.” Sharon and Susan invite readers to purposefully prepare for the afternoon of life while they are in the first half of life—and single women, that includes us.

Throughout each chapter, Sharon and Susan open the Bible for answers because, as they say, the Bible is where we learn to grow and flourish in the soil of the gospel. In that rich gospel soil, Sharon and Susan point to four biblical examples of women who show us how to age with grace. Five stars--I highly recommend this book, regardless of your age.

Mom, I don’t want to get old because I don’t want to get lines on my face.”

This from my 4 year old daughter.

My first response was a quick glance in the mirror … ("I have lines on my face?!”)

It’s not that I’d never considered the fact I’m getting wrinkles, I just didn’t realize that anyone, particularly my 4 year old, would notice.

In my late 30’s now, this was the year I began to notice the effects of aging, struggling with back pain, shifting hormones, and finding those grey hairs. Knowing we age felt different from experiencing it.

There are all manner of attempts to hide the aging process, like botox and hair dye, but these solutions are skin deep. The culture we live in defines beauty as solely physical, so as our bodies age, we mistakenly believe we are no longer beautiful.

The transition of age presents challenges as we become caregivers for aging parents or spouses, support friends & family who become sick or pass away, and we struggle with identity and our place serving in the church as physical limitations hone in around us.

To help guide our perspective on aging, Sharon Betters and Susan Hunt write, “Aging with Grace: Flourishing in an Angi-Aging Culture.”

In 8 chapters, they share their own stories with vulnerability, along with those of other women, and women of the Bible, teaching us to think through what Scripture teaches about aging. They tell us that, “aging with grace, or what the Bible calls growing in grace, is impossible apart from God’s grace.”

This book is “not a list of ideas to become a gracious older woman. It’s about the life-long adventure of God giving his children the desire and ability to do all things – even aging with grace – through him who strengthens us.”

When we face illness, the new role of caregiving, and shifts in how we serve the Lord, we learn that just as before, the gospel is before us, inviting us to traverse the depths of scripture to discover our purpose and identity, for “there are many things we can no longer do as we age, but age does not keep us from fulfilling our purpose to glorify and enjoy God.” This is no skin deep issue, it's a matter of the heart.

They encourage us that, “this is not wasted time. It is growing time, because my physical weakness and pain push me to trust Jesus more.” Our resolve and trust in the Lord can grow as we face weakness and change. We may feel like our suffering doesn't have a purpose, but it puts us closer to the feet of Jesus.

“Old age, when life becomes quieter and slower, is prime time to reflect on the power of the gospel to change us. It is also a time when we are tempted to think small – to think about our aches and pains, our disappointments and unrealized expectations. Will we be good stewards of our old age? Even as physical strength diminishes, will we pursue our destiny – knowing God? We are never too old to look up and be transformed from beast to beauty, without Botox or anti-aging cream.”

I love that! We are never too old to be transformed, never too old to pursue our destiny of knowing him more, never too old to grow in the beauty of our Savior!

This is an important book for Christian women, to help us assess what we believe about age, beauty and purpose in a world that gives us all manner of other definitions; rooting ourselves in the Word is the place we can find the answer. This book helps us to do that.

In the same way, after you've put your pickles through the canner, you don’t eat them the next day, you leave them in the pantry to sit for a few months, because they taste better after time. We get older each day, but every one is filled with new mercies from the Lord, new steps of obedience to take, and new ways to grow, by grace, in love and faithfulness.

If you are a woman curious about what it means to flourish with age, this one is for you! I give it 5 stars!

“It is at the end of life, not only at the beginning, that Christians are most different from the rest of the world. Then the true beauty of a woman, the true character of a man, is seen for what it really is.”

May the Lord give us courage as we age, to continue becoming women who glorify and enjoy him.


Thank you to Netgalley and Crossway for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review!.

Using the examples of Elizabeth, Anna, Naomi and others, the authors paint a vivid picture of how older women can still be used for God's glory. They weave in their own stories and the stories of other contemporary older women who have "aged with grace." As we grow older our spiritual activities may change, but they don't have to end. We can be mentors, work with smaller groups or individuals, or become prayer warriors or caregivers. Most of all we become more aware of our need to depend upon God, rather than our own strength. We can look back and gain perspective on how God has been at work in our lives.

There are questions at the end of each chapter for discussion and reflection. It could easily be used as a resource for small groups, or for private journaling.

Old age is not our enemy!

Tue worship puts character into our lives, humility into our bearing, strength and confidence into our witness... Let us learn to worship God, with the faithfulness and joy.

This text is so gospel saturated that reading would bless anyone. That is the high bar of Christian books for me. Especially if they are designated for a special group as this one. Young women, married women, single women can gleam from this text along with any man.

The purpose is outlined in the beginning that life doesn't not end when we are on the 2nd half of living. When our bodies and minds start to breakdown, we can still be used by God by living in his grace. Each chapter brings a story of such women that have left legacy and with overwhelming circumstances continue looking to Christ. God has created us to flourish with joy and in His grace.

This text will bless you and keep you in His loving care. Highly recommend.

A special thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

With no children of my own, one thing I think about often is what life will look like as I age and become more dependent on others for survival. As a very independent woman, who’s gifted in helping others, and enjoys helping others, accepting help is hard for me. This book is very Biblically based, and full of examples in scripture of women who have kept God as their companion. And it is brought home over and over again in this book that no matter what, you can find purpose in Christ alone as there “is always more grace to experience and more to know of Christ’s love.”

And this one statement directly from the book pretty much sums up what to expect from this book. “The purpose of this book is not to share clever strategies that will equip you to become a better, older version of yourself. Instead, it’s about what God is committed to do in the lives of his justified ones – women just like you. It’s about reversals he accomplishes by his grace.” I feel this book is written more in the line of a commentary than anything. There are some personal insights from the authors and also from others the authors know.

So if you are looking for a book full of tips and tricks on how to grow old gracefully, this isn’t the book for you. But if you are interested in learning about historical Biblical people and how God used them as they aged, and how He used them to affect the people around them as well as future generations, read this book. And if you want to learn about the choice you have as a child of God, to become a spirit lifter and not a grouch, read this book.

I am giving this book 4 stars because I had issues at the very beginning of the book, the first chapter or so. It was confusing at times and seemed to jump around from thought to thought a lot. I am not sure if this was just an issue with the kindle version of this book or just me getting in tune with how the book was structured.

This book didn't take long to read, but I read it as a book and not a Bible study book. If read as a Bible study, it would take longer to really dwell on the topics and answer the great questions at the end of each chapter.

All in all, this was a great book, and I would recommend this to others.

I absolutely love Susan Hunt, I didn´t know Sharon till this book and you will love her too. To be old is forbidden in our culture, that is why I find this book so relatable. When I was young I used to long for old ladies in my life, but none of them wanted to be or to look "old" I promised myself I was going to give that gift to my generation and me. I want them to look at me and find a woman who thanks God for her age and her looks. This book is full of wisdom and I wish many women would be able to read it and be encouraged by this message. It gives me hope to know that this resource is out there to bless many. I really like Crossway and their content. I wish I could meet these ladies and give them a great hug I kind of need it so much. I´ve read all of Susan Hunt´s books and I couldn´t miss this one. My prayer is to be at least a little bit like these wise ladies when I get older.

The authors themselves make sure the readers know that this is not a book about strategies and methods on how to live life when we are older. It is more about how God sees us who are older and how he will see us through the road ahead, not just surviving but also thriving and flourishing.

We go through several relevant passages in the Bible, learning from biblical women as well as hearing stories from the authors and other contributors.

I felt the warmth and kindness from the authors and could hear their voices of wisdom and experience.

Perhaps because we live in such unusual times with the pandemic causing a lot of havoc, I found many of the stories shared in the book somewhat depressing and had to put the book down many times and opt for more cheerful reading. I did not want to be reminded that there will definitely be more rough bumps on the road ahead.

So, not a book for me for the time being. But when things get better, maybe I will pick it up again.

In a world that worships beauty and youth, it’s tough to even admit we are getting older. We are made to feel that becoming older takes away from who we are and that we are no longer wanted. “Aging with Grace” is a breath of fresh air. It was a comfort hearing from older women who have gone through the good and bad of life and still stand tall in their faith and embrace their age. Authors Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt teach us that our first purpose is to worship God and then take care of others to glorify Him. Some of us are blessed to live long full lives, but shining our light for others should be our goal. These woman became my mentors, letting me see their grateful, happy attitudes and kind hearts. As a woman in her 40s, and somewhat fearful of the aging process and lost dreams, I am reminded that God still wants me to be fruitful and dream at any age. Your purpose isn’t over once you hit a certain age. God has a plan, He has relationships for you to grow, people to care for, and a legacy to leave. No amount of makeup, hair products or clothes can help you find who you are. You are who you are in Christ. He is our love, hope, strength and salvation. He makes us new every single day and that is better than any fountain of youth! The trials, storms, and heartaches of life can either make us bitter unable to bear fruit for future generations or we can decide to flourish showing that all things God will make good. Reading in this book about women of the Bible and stories of every day women will inspire you to know that you can make it through. Keep trusting, keep flourishing, keep loving, keep praying and most importantly keep worshipping and God will use your entire story.
( I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for my honest review. Thank you #Crossway !)
#AgingwithGrace
#netgalley

In their new book, “Aging with Grace: Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture,”Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt create a solid and informative backdrop for their beautiful love letter to the Lord. Biblically based text, combined with spiritual anecdotes and real stories of those aging gracefully, create a helpful and earnest guide for those of us entering the golden years. Thank you ladies for sharing your stories and holding our hands as we enter these glorious days ahead.